Customer Reviews

Prime Cut

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I am a huge fan of Davidson's culinary mysteries. I waited very impatiently for the release of Prime Cut and wasn't disappointed. The characters are like old friends, and, of course, "the jerk" can't be left out. People like him never go away. What a delight that Julian is back! Goldy is a fun, believable character who displays a tremendous amount of strength. Her recipes are mouth-watering. Goldy's enthisiasm for food is contagious--makes me want to jump up and start cooking! Her books are best read with a cup of espresso on the side. I have been looking for her next adventure since October--can't wait! When will the next book be available, and what is the delicious title?

This was my first read of any part of this series. I found the main characters warm and engaging and this alone will ensure that I locate and read the rest of this series.

The plotting however was loose and confusing and the motivation of the "bad guys" equally unclear. Nevertheless, it was an interesting and fun read.

Goldy the Caterer is back in another fun mystery by Diane Mott Davidson. Goldy becomes embroiled in yet another mystery in her town of Aspen Meadow, CO., when she discovers the dead body of the unscrupulous contractor that had made a mess of her kitchen. She decides she has to solve the mystery when a dear friend of hers is arrested for the murder and her teacher is found dead under suspicious circumstances.

One of the main ingredients in this series is the rich background involving Goldy's friends and family. We get to catch up with best friend Marla, husband Tom, and son Arch. This book also features the welcome return of border and vegetarian chef in training, Julian Teller. We also discover how Goldy's ex husband (the Jerk) can still make life difficult for Goldy, even when he's in jail.

A fast and fun read. Speaking as a museum worker and volunteer, my one complaint is that the folks involved at the local history museum are just a little too mellow, and relaxed about what happens at the museum. As always, I enjoyed my latest visit to Goldy's kitchen.

In the last two years, I've been reading (or re-reading) the Goldy series in order. I strongly urge anyone considering reading these books to try to read them in order also. Quite simply, half of the fun of this series is following Goldy, Tom, Arch, Julian, Marla and the rest of the gang as their lives evolve. Sure, DMD provides sketchy background fillers, but it really helps to know what has happened in the past to understand the present in this book.

That being said, this is a good read. The book is broken up into more or less equal parts of Goldy's home life (Tom's suspended and decides to remodel the kitchen, Julian's back and Marla's being audited, and Arch is talking about finding a girlfriend); trying to salvage her business against a ruthless new competitor; and poking her nose into the murders of (1)the contractor who trashed her kitchen and, then, (2) her cooking mentor. Lots of the action takes place in an old homesteader's cabin - the site of a catalog modeling shoot which was also the site of the murders. Goldy is feeding the models and starts to wonder.

As a Colorado resident, I continue to enjoy this series. DMD does a nice job in this book of working a little bit of local history into modern day life in Colorado. Skimpy models wearing lingerie in a homesteader's cabin in the mountains. Just thinking about it....

I am intrigued as I read the reviews of this book by how many reviewers commented on the 'character flaws' they saw in "Prime Cut" and how few commented on the novel itself. I think there's a reason for this. Anyone who has lived and worked in a small town knows that life can be pretty pedestrian by Big Apple standards, and so it would seem that this plot (high fashion novels, real estate developments, politics, and life among the greedy rich) might be pretty fantastic stuff for a small, sleepy mountain town. But the element of fantasy doesn't hold for the characters: Goldie, our erstwhile heroine, has a temper, a big mouth, and a fear of her teenage son; Arch, her son, is greeting his manhood with bravado and hormones; Tom, her policeman-husband, is making a terrible mess in the kitchen with his carpetry attempts; and many of the other characters are like some of our own neighbors--ill tempered, boorish, and not too bright. The novel LOOKS like fantasy, and SOUNDS like real life, an incongruous combination. It's got several plot lines to keep us reading and racing to the end, and some delectable recipes which will slow us down and clog our arteries. In the last analysis it's a delightful dessert: a smooth creme brulee with a tint of tangy citrus, as Goldie would say.

Another delightfully light and delicious mystery. Goldie, Tom, Arch, Julian & Marla are comfy old friends now, and this book was a delight. While light hearted and sometimes silly, the author is careful not to insult the reader. It's all just fun. Message to the author: MORE. Please.

As much as I love Goldy and the rest of her "family", I was not captivated by this adventure. How much abuse and persecution can one woman take? The whole idea of her ex-husband, who supposedly has money problems, bankrolling a saboteur was more than I can stomach. Calling the IRS? YES! Buying out the competition-hmmm, I don't think so. When is Goldy going to stop letting the Jerk get away with this? With a cop for a husband, things should be better. In this day and age, the role of the victim is so out. However, I was thrilled with the return of Julian, one of my favorite characters, and it's nice Arch is finally living a "normal" life, for a teenager.

I have two great hobbies...cooking and reading. Diane Mott Davidson's books featuring Goldy Schulz just about covers all my bases! How else could I be entertained AND gather new recipes with such clear instructions and hints for success. The plot is predictable, sometimes silly...pure escapism intermingled with not so subtle pulls on one's hunger. I'll bet there is no one who doesn't get up and make a snack for themselves while reading one of these books about a caterer and sometime detective. The settings also are appealing...the Colorado Rockies, log cabins, cold, crisp air... Davidson writes sensually...and yet her characters react like real people. Especially Goldy when faced with a group of thin and starving models. Andre' her old chef cooking teacher is perfect foil for her in this book. There are cooking disasters, people hanging from beams..missing collectible cookbooks...which will hit home with anyone who collects books. If you want a good, quick read...and don't mind being getting the munchies...read Davidson's newest book.."Prime Cut"...

I have to admit, I enjoy the Goldy (Bear) Schulz character and especially like the recipes. Goldy is not facing off against a rival that has a backer with deep pockets. Her hubby gets suspended without pay, her kitchen, her source of livihood and sanity, is trashed. And than there are the murders.

Read the book to find out how Goldy gets out of this one and what new culinary dishes she has come up with - if you like a murder mystery and cooking, you'll love this book (as well as the others in the seiries).

Living through the chaos of a destroyed kitchen, a Catering war, and Murder somehow seems normal fare for Goldy and her family. You share her anger at a Caterer who is willing to play dirty to steal her business,Her frustration when her son is tricked into betraying her, and her pain at loosing her mentor. The charictors, as always, in one of Diane Mott Davidsons books are believable and engaging. The plot is a little thin but it was a fun read all the same.